A theatrical spectacle dedicated to Greek philosopher Socrates, with
Oscar-winning actor Rod Steiger playing the leading role, will be
presented in a world premiere in Athens on September 5-6.

The event is titled "Socrates' apology in the dawn of civilisation" and
is based on a text by Bernd Kammermeier and Michael Pfrommer, inspired
by Socrates' apology, while the harpist Andreas Vollenweider will
compose a new music work specifically for the performance.

The event is part of celebrations by the Delphi European Cultural
Centre on the occasion of the 2400th anniversary of Socrates' death
which proclaimed 2001 "Socrates' Year" and which is under the auspices
of the President of the Republic.

The fifth production of Aristophanes' "Clouds" by the Greek National
Theatre is to begin its summer tour on July 4 as part of the 15th Izmir
Festival, at the ancient theatre in Ephesus.

The play will begin performances in Greece at the ancient theatre at
Epidavros on July 13-14 and then tour around the country, including
performances at the ancient stadium in Delphi on July 21, the ancient
theatre of Dion in Katerini on August 18 and the ancient Odeon in
Patras on September 5.

Other scheduled performance dates are in Ioannina on July 18, at the
Melina Mercouri Rock Theatre on Hymettus on July 25, the Pythagoreion
theatre on Samos on August 12, Larisa on August 21, Agios Achilleos in
Prespes on August 24, Thessaloniki on August 27 and at the Anoixi
community theatre 'Hesiod' on September 8.

Greece reiterated its position on Thursday on the contentious issue of
Belgrade turning over one-time strongman Slobodan Milosevic to an
international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, saying it was ?an
internal Yugoslav matter?.

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed, during a press
briefing here, that the issue affects ?the political forces in
Yugoslavia and the democratically elected government of that country,
which is handing (the matter) responsibly and realistically?.

BRUSSELS (ANA - V. Demiris) A solution to the Cyprus problem within
2002 was predicted by European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen on
Thursday, during a press conference on the enlargement process.

"After contacts that I had this week with (Greek Foreign Minister
George) Papandreou and (Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail) Cem within the
context of the EU-Turkey Association Council, I am confident that a
solution to the Cyprus problem is achievable within the time limits we
have set for concluding accession negotiations with the first wave of
EU candidate countries at the end of 2002," he said.

The goal, he added, is for the entire island to join the EU, which is
the best tool for achieving the eradication of tension and peaceful
coexistence of the two communities on a lasting basis.

He went on to say that the EU's positions were clear, that the
decisions of the Helsinki summit would be implemented, and that all
important factors - such as the course of the Cyprus problem - would be
taken into account.

Sunshine is forecast in most parts of the country on Friday, although
storms may occur on high ground in the north. Winds northerly, light to
moderate, turning strong in the southeastern Aegean. On the mainland,
temperatures will range from 16C to 36C; in the Ionian from 19C to 34C;
and in the Aegean islands from 21C to 30C. Sunny in Athens, with
temperatures between 20C and 35C. Same in Thessaloniki, with
temperatures from 19C to 34C.

Traders said a wave of profit taking in blue chip stocks, mainly banks,
during the last minutes of trade evaporated earlier gains in the
market.

Alpha Bank ended 2.09 percent lower, after gaining as much as 1.5
percent early in the session. Shares in the food & beverage sector
scored the biggest gains, with Coca Cola HBC leading the way with an
advance of 4.63 percent.

The general index ended 0.01 percent lower at 2,697.81 points, off the
day's highs of 2,728.48 points, with turnover an improved 191.733
million euros, or 65.33 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at
1,553.78 points, off 0.03 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.50
percent to 302.15 points, and the Small Cap index ended at 847.64
points, down 0.81 percent.